Adventure

This year I seem to be doing a lot of traveling; leaving every couple of weeks for a new adventure and a new state. (Hopefully, some new countries will be in my future too!) Before I leave for a trip I like to do a little research on where I'm going, the activities I'll be doing and getting a better idea of what kinds of photos I'll be taking while I'm there. Having a plan of action for photos always makes the photos better. I give good thought to which lenses, camera body, and accessories I think I'll need for each situation. When I'm on a trip I usually have limited luggage space meaning that going light of gear makes a lot of difference.

On my most recent trip to Utah I had hopes of capturing the hot springs cave we went to, the ice castle we going to invade and of course as much snow as possible to add to my winter theme on Instagram. What I didn't expect was that the steam from the hot springs would make photos pointless, and the tight quarters were a little too small for my the lens sizes I have and we only went to the ice castle at night during the closing night party - a dangerous place to have expensive camera gear. But the biggest disappointment was that Utah had just as much snow as Colorado does right now...none! Needless to say, all of the photos I had planned out and dreamed up, didn't come to fruition.

What did end up happening was a prime seat on the airplane with a cloudless sky and views that were only to be described as jaw-dropping. It wasn't something I had planned, but the photographs from the plane were the highlight of my trip. The snow-capped Rockies from a birds-eye view was something I don't get the chance to capture very often. An hour-long flight meant no sleep an all picture taking, both on my camera and my phone.

What this trip taught me is that when it comes to adventures planning only gets you so far. You can be prepared to get the perfect shot, but it doesn't always line up for you. On the other hand, you can not plan ahead and have the perfect circumstances put in front of you. In life, there will always be twists and turns. Plan for what you can and know that it will never go your way. It's a concept I'm continuing to work on since I'm a type A personality and like to have everything planned and organized. I'm bummed that the photos I dreamed of didn't pan out, but the photos I had no idea about ended up being ones I'm super proud of and are something very different for me.

Embrace the adventure, wherever it takes you. Whether you have a plan or not.

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Who knew that food made such a difference in all areas of your life? From emotions to exhaustion the right foods can be the difference between a good day or a bad one and I continue to learn that first hand. It started when I would watch Clayton, my fiance, out hike me on every mountain. Given he is in better shape than I am, but I would be dying halfway into the hike while he looked like he had just started. The difference was in our breakfasts which allowed him to go further and the snacks we brought were the perfect dose of fuel for him to keep going, while I was already too far behind.

Before I start sharing all my secrets to snacks, I'll start with how I figured out that food was my biggest downfall when it came to hiking. I've been sick a lot this year with infections, colds, and migraines. Each day has been a battle and the need for an afternoon nap never really made me feel better. In November, I heard about Kelly LeVeque, a nutritionist for the stars and the author of Body Love. It was during this time that my skin was turning against me, covered in rashes and always itching, I became desperate enough to try anything new. I followed her diet, the Fab Four, with smoothies every morning and found that all areas of my life were getting a whole lot better. Her diet is simple, eat fat, fiber, protein and greens in every meal and keep the sugars you eat (including glucose - aka fruit) to a minimum. If you don't want to follow the whole diet then just starting the day off with a fab four smoothie will change your life.

From here I realized I've been eating wrong my whole life. It's easy to just grab trail mix for the trail or an apple. But they aren't giving you all the things you need to fulfill your adventures. So as you are shopping for your next big adventure, whether that's hiking up a mountain, heading to the slopes or a long day of travel on the airplane, these are the snacks you should be looking to grab before you go.

Healthy High-Protein Breakfast

Start the morning off right by giving your body the nutrients it needs to be successful in whatever adventure you have planned. I personally love the Fab Four smoothies but sometimes you want a little more or you'd rather just take that on the road with you. Having eggs and bacon for breakfast is a great way to start things off. Chop up some spinach and add some avocado for fat and you'll really feel full and ready to take on the world. Having a foundation of good food in your stomach will make all the difference for the rest of your day and it will help keep you full longer so you don't feel the need to constantly snack.

Who Said Fat Was Bad?

Fats have not been feeling the love. It's true there is such a thing as good fats. A McDonald's cheeseburger is the bad kind of fat while avocado is the good kind. Bringing an avocado, peanut butter (Justin's Nutbutter packs are great for the trail or for traveling), or chia seeds sprinkled on something or mixed in your trail mix are all great sources of fat.

Bring On The Protein

We are big fans of protein powder in this household, it goes in our morning smoothie every day and we stick with the Organic Pea Protein powder. It's only $10 at Trader Joes, which is a lot cheaper than most proteins plus there is no dairy in it and no artificial flavoring. You can bring some in a pouch and add it to your water or mix it in a smoothie and save it for later. If powder protein isn't your thing you can always grab a string cheese or the individual cheeses or a hard-boiled egg with a bit of salt (pink Himalayan salt is my favorite) and pepper on it.

Sugar For Emergencies

Sugar is a funny thing. We crave it the most, but what our bodies are actually craving is protein because we know that will sustain us longer, however sugar works faster. When you feel like you are crashing and you really need a burst of energy I suggest eating something with protein and also eating a bit of sugar. You'll get the quick fix you need while taking care of yourself for later. Clif Bars Bloks Energy Chews are our favorite. They are small square gummies loaded with sugar to give you a quick jolt when you need it most. We bring these along for every hike just in case we need the extra energy fast, and we almost always do. Dark chocolate is another great option and has other health benefits too so don't think you are limited in your choice of sugar. As long as you are working your body hard, there's no reason not to help yourself out with a sugary treat. Just remember to keep the serving size small and only use it when you need.

Fruit is another great source of energy and sugar. Like all sugar, it works fast but crashes fast too. Bring a banana or apples and add some peanut butter to it to get the benefit of the sugar and longevity of the peanut butter, and if you really want get crazy sprinkle some protein power on top, just for good measure.

The real thing I've learned in all of this is to start paying attention to your body. I know that when I get angry quickly or when I'm ready to pass out it's probably because I haven't been feeding myself well. A lot of the foods I eat are carbs which turn into glucose (sugar) because of this they don't last long and your blood sugar spikes and drops way to fast. The key to having a great adventure or a good day, in general, is trying to keep your sugar levels the same all day long. When you do that, your body sends the love back to you. I've been able to get over most of my health issues from changing my diet and adding in a few supplements (omega-3 and probiotics).

I am not a health professional and cannot give medical advice. This style of eating has benefited my body and I tell my story in hopes that others will be able to benefit from it. If you are thinking of drastically changing your diet in hopes of change in your life, I suggest speaking to a doctor or health professional first.

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The following is an article I wrote for The Good Trade magazine to bring together two of my passions, the outdoors and social justice. To read the full article click here.

Ethically-Made Winter Gear

Finding winter clothes isn’t hard. Especially when you live in a place that gets cold during the winter. But, when you add fashion-forward and ethical to your list of requirements for your winter clothes, you’ve just created a whole new dilemma.

As someone who grew up in the snow (I was born and raised in a small town outside of Denver, Colorado), I know about the cold. I understand being cold even more because I didn’t learn how to dress for it until a few years ago. When it came to my winter clothes, fashion was always the most important thing, that and being cheap (don’t hate me, I’m a recovering fast fashion addict). But when a cheap price and looking cute were the only criteria for your winter coat, you were cold all winter long. That’s just how it works.

I know better now. While aesthetic is still a high priority on my list, not being miserable is even higher and shopping ethically sits at the top as well. For that very reason, I’ve started looking into the winter gear that will get you through the winter, looking good and feeling good. Now those snowshoeing trips, ski trips or even just trips to the grocery store will be something you can look forward to!

Cover The Head

If your mother never told you, you lose the most heat from your head. Finding a hat that covers your ears and fits snuggly on your head will make all the difference when the temperatures drop.

My favorite hats come from Krochet Kids, a brand I’ve been following for years and love what they stand for. They provide job opportunities for women in need in Uganda—each product has the woman’s name who made your product in it so you can go online and learn more about it. It is an amazing way to connect with the people making your clothes even though they are halfway around the globe. While Krochet Kids started with creating hats, they’ve moved on to creating an entire line of clothes that are all just as high-quality and beautifully made as their hats.

Gloves For Giving Hands

My hands and feet are always cold, bad circulation so I’m told. I have 3-4 different pairs of gloves I use throughout the winter all for different uses and always at hand (or should I say on hand?) Having a high-quality material for your gloves will keep your hands warmest. Depending on what you are doing will decide the type of glove you need.

For outdoor adventures like snowshoeing, skiing or snowball fights you’ll want to make sure you have a waterproof glove like the Outdoor Research Arete Glove. Created by a company that is dedicated to living a life of adventure with quality gear.

Or if you just need a good driving glove and something to stay warm in the crisp air, then Patagonia’s fleece gloves are always a great choice. Dyed with low-impact processes that reduce energy and water use, Patagonia is always a reliable company for quality, ethical outdoor clothing.

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I've had the same car since I was a Freshman in college. Good Ol' Cynthia has been good to me and gotten me everywhere I've needed to go. We've been through a lot together and she's been even further, over 200,000 miles far. So when the day came that it was time to let her go and find a new car, I was a bit upset. Although, at the same time pretty excited to choose a car that was right for me with all the bells and whistles I had dreamed of.

A Car Meant For Adventure

In our family we only by Subarus. There's a lot of reasons why we do this but the number one reason is that we have a mechanic we love who only works on them. But there are a lot of great features that come with a Subaru making it the perfect Colorado car and made for adventure. I specifically wanted a Subaru Outback after 2010 when they redesigned the body. It sits a bit higher than the old version and has a sleeker look to it. I, of course, needed a sunroof and heated seats because I'm always cold. One of my favorite features is the backup cam in the rearview mirror which has made backing into a parking spot way. All Subarus have 4 wheel drive making them perfect to drive in the snow or in the mountains. The treacherous dirt roads leading to Fourteeners or the icy highways that lead to the ski slopes are no match for these beasts!

Finding The Best Deal On A Used Car

I've always been taught to buy a used car. It's the best deal around and you are buying something that loses value as soon as you take it off the lot. With that in mind, I still wanted a car that's going to last me a good long time, ideally up to 10 years. I started with websites like Cars.com and Autotrader.com. I ended up finding a 2011 Subaru Outback in dark grey at an AutoNation. With less than 100,000 miles on it, this car was $13,000 and in perfect condition. We took it for a test drive, dropped it off with the mechanic we trusted and checked out the car facts before deciding that this was by far the best deal we had seen. What's even better is that AutoNation took care of us like family. Their no "haggling" just a low price to start with and the best deal around. To make it even better they installed new breaks, replaced the tires and gave it an oil change for no extra car. This car was ready for adventure and we were ready to take it on one!

Funding Your New (To You) Car

If you're like most of us mortals, you can't afford to outright pay for a new car, even if it is used. Therefore, here are a few tips in paying for your new car! It starts with the down payment. Whatever you can afford to put on the card, do. And if you can put it on a credit card it allows for those extra miles to be used on another adventure. If you're hoping to have this load effect your credit score, you need to take a loan of at least $10,000 out. Any less than that and it won't make a difference for your score which was one of the reasons we wanted to take out the loan in the first place. By improving our scores it would be easier to get a good mortgage when we're ready for that.

When you sit down with your car dealer they'll put in your credit information and send it out to a bunch of different places to get you the best interest rate. There are some flaws with this tactic, the more places you send out for the more times your credit score are checked and the more it drops. It's a dumb system, but that's the game we're playing. We limited it to the top 5 places they thought would have the lowest rate, usually all being Credit Unions. When we got ours back we agreed on the interest rate, signed on the dotted line and put down our deposit. After that, it's all about working with your loan agent to set up your accounts, give them your car insurance information and make your first payment. A month or so down the road you'll have to get set up with your license plate and sending in your emissions test.

The Adventure Begins

Keys in hand and peddle underfoot and you are flying down that highway dreaming of all the adventures you can have with this beast. I find it's always a good idea to name your car at this point and this lucky Subaru became Hemmingway. Don't ask me why it just felt right. From here, it's all about getting to know each other. Playing with the bells and whistles, setting things up that fit for you - gloves in the middle console, sunglasses up top, the seat in the right position and so on. This is where things get fun. You start to find your fit with your new car and even better, you get to start planning your next mountain adventure with your new ride. And that adventure will be a whole new experience with a ride like this.

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Every time I go hiking in the mountains I can’t help but wonder what this place looked like before people roamed it. I think of the dinosaurs walking through the forests, the areas that must have been oceans or lakes, and all the different species of plants and animals that lived right where I’m standing. I then think of the first settlers or the Native Americans on this land, before there were roads before there were buildings. Traveling through the mountains, on horse or with a wagon and what a different view they would have seen. It’s something I wish I could go back in time and witness for myself.

On December 4th, the news broke that Trump was downsizing two national parks in Utah, Bear Ears and Grand Staircase, needless to say, I was outraged. To think that more of these magical lands we get to roam would be gone, limiting our connection with nature and further enhancing the need for more growth, more oil, more people. (All things I'm trying to downsize in my personal life). This modern way of life, while great, can still be something that needs more of the old ways of life than the new. Maybe that's just the old-soul in me.

Bear Wars will be cut back by 1.1 million acres (that’s 85% of the current 1.35 million acres it is now) and Grand Staircase will be cut in half from it's 1.8 million acres. Both monuments were created by Democratic Presidents (Grand Staircase created by President Clinton in 1996 and Bear Ears by President Obama in 2016). They will be downsized by a Republican one that seems to like turning himself into a villain.

I am all for land preservation and educating people both young and old about the outdoors but this isn’t a cut and dry issue. Patagonia’s founder Yvon Chouinard mentioned the fact that a small 4% of our land that is protected while places like Chile have over 10% of their land protected. There is no doubt that there are plenty of places in the U.S. that could be protected. The dilemma comes in finding ways to fund the park and take care of the communities around it. Currently, the county nearest Bear Ears is the poorest county in the state. While 3 parks are within its borders there is little opportunity for growth or jobs. Downsizing the monuments would allow for oil and gas, mining and logging corporations to come in and develop the land and provide jobs. On the other hand, all these options could pose new and dangerous risks for the surrounding protected areas. Another issue comes with the high Native American population and the prejudices given to them. As the former county commissioner and Navajo elder Mark Maryboy says in a CNN article "The experience that Native Americans see in this county is discrimination. They are the last ones to be hired for any position. Even if there's a huge mining operation opening up, they will not be hired for that position. And they will be exposed to the toxic materials that are left on the ground or in the air.”

One of the greatest issues, that could be a good reason for downsizing or an ample opportunity for fixing, is the cost of upkeep of the parks. The Nationals Parks Service is in charge of taking care of the Bear Ears and Grand Staircase; As the two together are over 3 million acres. With a small budget the roads, trails and access points are taken care of to a small degree; an amount equal to the limited funding. There is still an opportunity to fix this, something does have to change in order for the National Parks Service to be able to care for the land to the degree it needs, but downsizing the monuments isn't the only way to do this.

Trump isn’t the first to downsize monuments, both Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt did it, but both those monuments became National Parks protecting them from further downsizing. And while job creation is necessary for these small counties, this may not be the way to go about it. Protecting our lands, and keeping them healthy (i.e. limited operations in collecting oil and gas, mining and logging) is important to the future of our country and it’s people. The 100,000 archaeological sites are not only important to the Native Americans but to all our history in understanding where this land came from and what our histories hold.

There are always two sides to every story. Trump obviously see’s this more as an opportunity for wealth (seeing as that’s what he said- “we will usher in a bright new future of wonder and wealth”) there are still other sides of this story to be heard. There is a need for economic growth in these communities, the preservation of land is important and the respect and voices of the Native Americans is imperative. While none of these can be answered right away, and the solution will most likely take years we are in luck. With the vast amount of land and many endangered species sighting throughout it, the land will most likely stay public and free from corporations, at least for now.

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Boulder, the town known for the Flatiron mountains, Pearl Street Mall and the home of the Colorado University Buffalos (I'm a Colorado State Ram, so I don't go there for the football!) it's a quick 45-minute drive from Denver, sitting next to the Flatirons, named after their resemblance to an iron. While there are many ways to get to Boulder from Denver, I always choose to take the scenic route on highway 93 where you drive right along the mountains and open landscapes. The open road gives you a great view of the mountains and provides its own sense of peace as you get further away from the city.

North Table Mountain, Golden, Colorado

Boulder Hiking

On this drive to Boulder, you'll find a couple places to pull over and hike. Only 20 minutes out from Denver is Golden, Colorado where you'll find North Table Mountain. A short hike going straight up a hill onto a table mesa that looks over the mountains and city. Further along on the drive, you'll pass Flatirons Vista. I love using this location for photo shoots or just for a short easy hike. It's also the perfect place to take friends and family who are visiting and want to experience the outdoors without going too far or gaining a lot of elevation. With a combination of open space, forests and mountains it's the perfect place to see a variety of landscapes and get the feel of Colorado without having to all the way into the mountains. If you plan on hiking here, I suggest going during the week or getting there early. The parking is limited and it fills ups fast, and you do have to pay to park. As with any park in Colorado, paying to park helps take care of the lands and provides you the adventures you love.

Flatiron Mountains near Boulder, Colorado

Places To Go In Boulder

If you aren't looking for a place to hike or need something to do after your hike there are plenty of things to do in Boulder. The Celestial Seasoning factory is there right next to Avery brewery (One of our favorites!). If you love tea then I suggest heading to pearl street and checking out Ku Cha House of Tea. This is where I got to get my best loose leaf tea. Pearl Street is also a great place to walk around and find fun shops and street performers. If you love tacos then you won't want to miss out on T|aco. With original flavors and a great atmosphere, you'll feel like you just escaped to Mexico, or Texas at the very least.

Rincon Argentino, corn empanadas

On our latest trip to Boulder, we stopped by Rincon Argentino, an empanada restaurant that will blow your mind. From atmosphere to service we loved everything about this place and happened to be joining them on their 5-year anniversary. Each empanada is shaped differently in order to help identify it when served with a variety of flavors. This is something that all empanada shops due in Argentina creating a universal language of empanadas. They also have some Argentinian desserts, drinks and a whole lot of flavor. The light crispy pastry is everything you want in an empanada while the flavorful insides will simply make you wonder why this isn't something you eat every day.

Photo: Dana Zucker from Travelingmom.com

Stay In Boulder

If you want to extend this trip and stay the night there's plenty of places to check out but I'm a fan of the Adventure Lodge. Hidden in the back of boulder, going into the mountains is this fun little lodge. It's perfect if you need to get up early and get out on an adventure or you just want to make a weekend of. I had a blast staying here for my birthday last year with a snowshoeing trip and a special birthday dinner at Brasserie Ten Ten (try their souffle for dessert, it's amazing!) The Adventure Lodge provides tips for places to go if you aren't sure where you adventure should take you next and also has its own campfires outside making it the perfect place to have a BBQ. If you're hoping to stay connected on your trip, you might not fall in love with this place. Reception is limited here making it a real way to get off the grid and escape.

Photo: brasserietenten.com

While this is just the tip of the iceberg of everything you can do in Boulder, it's definitely a good start. Hiking, food, beer, tea, and adventure, what more could you ask for? Feel free to comment below with any of your favorite Boulder spots or questions for more Denver or Boulder adventure spots, I'm sure I could think up a few for you!

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2 years ago I was the healthiest I had ever been while I was doing Crossfit. Yes, it’s true I was a part of the cult. Although I will say the gym I attended was a bit different from the usual Crossfit gyms. Their goal was to create adventure athletes and prepare you for the great outdoors by getting you in shape and teaching you great form. While I no longer do Crossfit – It was a little too intense for my body and personality type (and a bit too expensive for my wallet), I’ve been working on building a new health routine.

In the last few months, I’ve really gotten into creating my own yoga practice. While I’ll go to classes when I can, and attend every free class that’s available to me (If you’re in Denver check out this site for free yoga classes). I’ve also found some amazing yoga videos including Yoga With Adriene who provides videos for every level at every length of time.

It’s with these tools that I’m learning to be in the moment, catch my breath and take care of myself, both mentally and physically. Since I’ve gone back to full-time work recently while still growing my own business, things have become a little crazy in my life. Oh, and did I mention I’m planning a wedding in under 8 months? Yeah, I like a challenge, and I’ve been providing myself some big ones lately. My anxiety, tiredness, and skin problems have reached a new and different kind of high. I’ve been taking steps to adjust my diet (I’ll be writing about that soon) and of course moving my body, building muscle but most importantly learning how to breathe and focus on calming things down and listening to my body.

Yoga does some amazing things for you. It can be a really hard workout (try the hot-yoga, you won’t ever be the same again!), it detoxes your body and it allows you to be inside your own body paying attention to what’s going on. It’s a great time to really get the “you time” you’ve been needing and to feel great the rest of the day. My goal currently is to get 20-30 minutes of yoga plus 10 minutes of meditation in every morning. I’ll admit I’m not perfect, sometimes I get 10 minutes of each or a few breathes and a few simple moves before I need to run out the door. But what yoga teaches you is to come as you are on the mat and accept yourself, flaws and beauty together.

If you’re looking for a way to spend some great time with yourself, quiet your mind and get the health benefits you desperately need, I highly suggest starting your own Yoga practice. Going to a few paid classes is a great way to learn the poses, understand form and get a feeling for your practice. Then you can go home and do it yourself with a better idea of what feels right and how to do each pose. Give yourself grace and remember that just like anything else in life this takes practice. When you fall over or mess up love yourself through it. We all started somewhere and it requires falling a lot until you start falling less.

Let me know how your practice goes or if you’ve been doing yoga for awhile, feel free to share your tips, tricks and thoughts below! I’d love to hear how Yoga has made a difference in your life and better prepared you for your Adventures.

Yoga To Get You Started

The winter is coming. Finally! With the dropping of temperature and the promise of snow, there’s a sense of adventure in the air. The Colorado winters bring so many different things to do (even if staying inside by a warm fire is your choice of adventure). As my love for the outdoors has grown, so has my love for the winter. There are some magical days in the snow-covered mountains and forests. Those moments are completely different experiences from being in the mountains during the summer. Adventure is readily available in any season that you come to the Rocky Mountains and luckily the gear you need to embrace these adventures is available too. If you’re looking for a place to rent some gear for a new sport you want to try out or just to save some money these are my go to places.

Ski and Snowboards

Colorado is known for its skiing and snowboarding which is probably why traffic is killer on the weekends heading to the mountains. If you plan on driving to the mountains for some adventure I suggest leaving Thursday or Friday or later in the day on Saturday and don’t try and come back Sunday afternoon-evening. Check the weather and see if there are any storms in the forecast because that will add a few extra hours to your drive. I’ve had friends stuck in ski traffic for over 8 hours, so definitely plan ahead on this one!

Our go-to place for ski and snowboard rentals. It’s based in Boulder so it’s a better spot to rent your board or skis for an entire season (unless you’re going to a mountain near Boulder). For the entire season, you can get an Adult Economy Ski Package for $155 or an Adult Snowboard Package for $150. If you’re looking to just rent for the day you can get a pair of skis for as low as $35 and a snowboard for as low as $25 for their most basic packages. Of course, you’ll probably want to get a helmet too which is $5 for the day.

This ski shop has plenty of locations to choose from making it a great option to rent your gear and be able to get it back at the end of your last ski day. Prices differ by $5-10 depending on which location you go to but you’ll be looking at $20-45 for skis or a snowboard plus $10 for a helmet at the Denver location. Depending on the type of skis/snowboard you want and the quality will decide how much you’ll end up spending.

Snowshoes

Snowshoeing has become my new all-time favorite winter adventure. It’s a lot less crowded than the ski slopes but doesn’t let that fool you, just like the summer everyone is looking for a way to get outside on the weekends even if it’s freezing outside. You’ll want to go early and get parking because most places do get crowded. If you can find some secret spots, please tell me about them so that I can get away from the crowds. Even with the people on the trails, it’s still nice to get out and get moving and the winter in the forests adds an extra kind of magic to the experience.

If you aren’t going to be anywhere near Boulder then REI is the next best place to rent snowshoes. Some REI’s don’t offer these rentals so you’ll want to call ahead but if they do but their $15 a day per pair.

Of course, these aren’t the only options for Colorado adventures in the winter. There’s cross country skiing, sledding, and Tubing at some of the resorts. If you’re looking for other gear to rent all these shops offer a plethora of other products to help you have the best adventure yet. And sleds are pretty readily available at Target, Wal-mart or even the grocery store for pretty cheap. Hopefully, these places will make a good start for helping you plan your next big Colorado adventure.

I’ve lived in Colorado my entire life and it wasn’t till a year ago when I was 24 that I finally figured out how to dress for the winters here. As someone who likes to look nice wherever I go, I had a hard time wearing my warmest jacket when it didn’t look as nice with the ensemble. However, as I’ve fallen in love with the outdoors and now view comfort as important as beauty I’ve changed my ways, invested in pieces that are nice and warm and created a whole new outlook on what it means to get dressed up in the winter.

For those moving to Colorado or who just haven’t figured out the tricks of the trade when it comes to staying warm in the winter this blog post is for you. While the images below are a few of my winter warm outfits, they aren’t all of them. I keep a variety of jackets for a variety of occasions that happen often. This will, however, create a great starting point for you and help you figure out where you need to build, throw out or restyle your closet.

The number one jacket everyone needs (Male or Female) is a double-breasted peacoat. The peacoat is the perfect city/work coat and goes with absolutely everything. Get it in a black, gray or camel so that you can wear it with work close or casual wear. I wear this jacket when I know it’s going to be colder (usually upper 40’s or in the 50’s.) I walk 3 blocks to work each day and it’s perfect for looking professional and staying warm on those in-between days. (The broach I’ve added to this jacket lives on it and was my grandmothers.)

If you’re looking for a great, affordable peacoat I suggest starting at Old Navy or Nordstrom Rack. When it comes to your winter jackets you will be investing in them. Think anywhere from $100-$300 depending on how warm it’s supposed to keep you. I Bought my peacoat from old Navy over 10 years ago and it holds up great. Winter jackets are the types of pieces you’ll hold onto for years, so make sure you are buying good quality and the price will be worth it.

If you’re going to be outside for a while layers are your best friend. When I go snowshoeing, skiing or anything outdoors in the winter time I’m always sure to have 3-4 layers on. This is great for when you first start out and it’s cold, but as your body warms up from working out you can take layers off. I suggest starting with a t-shirt or tank top. Then I layer on a thermal long sleeve fitted shirt. On top of that is a fleece and then my winter jacket. My Northface fleece is probably one of my favorite winter wear. I use it for days I’m just hanging out at the house or to layer it with close when it’s super cold outside. It’s soft, it’s pretty and it’s oh so warm. If you don’t own a fleece I highly suggest getting a North Face one. I got mine on sale at Nordstrom Rack when I was planning a trip to the base camp of Everest.

When looking for brands for base wear, REI, Patagonia, Helly Hansen and Sierra Trading Post are all good places to start. They’ll range in price so it will give you options. I will say that with pretty much any of these brands what you pay will determine the quality. So if you invest a few more dollars now they will last you a lot longer than the cheaper clothes, so if you can afford it, always seek quality first!

While style and layers are important there are times when it’s just freezing outside and the most important quality you are looking for in a jacket is warmth. That’s where a down jacket comes in. My signature blue puffy down jacket is the lightest and warmest thing I own. I love having the long length that goes over my bum and the suckered sleeves that hold my gloves in. While I don’t often wear the hood, it’s there in case I forget a hat and just need something. If the temperature is under 40 for the day I am for sure bringing the jacket with me wherever I go. The only downside to these amazing jackets is they really can’t get wet. Down feathers take forever to dry meaning if it’s snow hard outside or it’s raining, this probably isn’t the jacket to be wearing.

(I found this jacket on sale through The Clymb app. – Here you can find amazing outdoor gear on limited time sales. It’s a great thing to have on your phone and check into every once in while to see if they have the gear you need for amazing prices. You can find The Clymb here – )

If the weather outside is wet and cold and your down jacket isn’t going to be able to stay dry then I turn to my ski jacket. I most often wear my ski jacket when I’m out in the snow, snowshoeing, sledding, or building snowmen with my niece along with my favorite snow pants. My Bonfire Ski jacket is great because it allows me to wear layers underneath, it’s got zippers under the arms for when it’s getting a little too hot and of course it keeps me dry. If you plan on living in Colorado and want to do anything in the outdoors you are going to want a good ski jacket. There are a million bells and whistles you can have on your jackets – pockets, zippers, waist cinching, etc. So you’ll want to figure out your needs and find the jacket that fits them. This is a jacket you’ll be spending a bit more on, think around $250+. But this jacket will be going with you on adventures, in all different weather types. You’ll want a good jacket that can keep up with you.

Now let’s talk winter accessories. There are 4 main accessories you are going to need. 2 different types of gloves, 1 hat or ear muffs and a neck warmer – gaiter or scarf. The best thing I learned in the last year was to have glove liners or driving gloves and then to have my snow gloves. I got a pair of fleece driving gloves from REI that has changed my life. Driving and walking to work is so much more pleasant without frozen fingers. And then I got Burton mittens to use out in the snow, also with liners, keeping me dry and warm no matter what I’m doing in the snow. I have a couple different beanies I wear, some for style and some for warmth. The beanies that are a looser knit are not nearly as warm as the tighter fit and knit hats. Make sure you get a hat that hugs your ears and keeps you nice and warm, it makes a HUGE difference. Finally, I have a million scarves, stylish and warm. I also got a fleece lined gaiter which makes a difference in two ways. The first is it keeps your neck a lot warmer than a scarf, there’s no way cold air is finding a way through. You can also shift the gaiter up to cover your mouth providing, even more, warmth when the air is just bitter cold.

Here’s what you have to remember when it comes to the cold, comfort does beat style. It is miserable being in a cute jacket but freezing to the bone wondering when you are going to be home or in your car when you can blast the heat. In Colorado, everyone is walking around in ski jackets and down jackets so it really doesn’t matter if your jacket doesn’t match your professional look, although there are some really warm peacoats for a bit higher cost that could be the answer to both your problems. If you plan on really being warm during the coldest days of the year, just know you have to invest in your clothes. When you buy the good quality jackets that provide real warmth, you won’t regret spending those few extra dollars, and they’ll last you so much longer too!

We live in a beautiful world. It’s easy to forget that but every time I get outside, get into the mountains or even just go for a walk, I’m reminded of the beauty that surrounds us. Sometimes though we need a little more to remind us of the beauty in this world. To see the landscapes that take our breath away and to be taken back to the memories of some of our favorite places or adventures.

As a photographer and adventure junkie, I’ve been able to capture some beautiful scenes around Colorado and around the world. For that reason, I wanted to create a place for others to bring the adventure with them. With the new and improved Katie Leigh shop you can get prints of your favorite photos of mine or have them printed on shower curtains, laptop accessories, pillows, bags and more. Wherever you need a reminder that adventure is out there and that you live in a beautiful world, you can have it.

With the holidays approaching (I know it’s too soon to be talking about this), you might want to get some of your shopping done early or find the gifts you’ll be asking for. The Katie Leigh shop is the perfect place to find the all the gifts for the adventurous souls in your life.

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Into The Wild

“The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” – Into The Wild